1 Kings 16 relates the reign of perhaps the most evil ruler in the history of Israel, Ahab. He was the son of Omri, and reigned in Samaria for 22 years. Verse 30 states, “Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him.” Among the other sins he committed, married the evil woman Jezebel, the daughter of the king of Sidon (Phoenicia), and began serving and worshipping Baal. Following her influence, Ahab built a temple and altar to Baal in Samaria, and fashioned a wooden image to worship him. The historian relates, “Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” (33).
This was also the time of Elijah, a man who was willing to stand up for God during Ahab’s reign. With God’s authority, Elijah said in Chapter 17, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word” (1). At God’s direction he hid from the bloodthirsty king as the drought commenced.
In the third year of the drought God determined the time had come for Elijah’s confrontation with Ahab. “So Elijah went to present himself to Ahab; and there was a severe famine in Samaria” (18:2). God had determined by His power to bring land after this drought (cf. 18:1).
The text of James 5 needs to be understood in light of this truth. The writer states, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (16), and uses Elijah as an example. A righteous man who withheld rain and brought rain through prayer (17-18). Elijah’s power was not in being superhuman, he was successful because He was implementing God’s will.
For his efforts, Elijah was accused by Ahab as being the “troubler of Israel” (1 Kings 18:17). Elijah’s response was both true, and enlightening to us, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals” (18).
As we seek for both unity and faithfulness in our service to God, may we never blame the man of God for any division that results. It is not his fault. He is doing the will of God in “contend[-ing] earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Just as Elijah did. He is not worthy of criticism with some saying, “You are the one causing the trouble, because you are criticizing another.” His hand is to be upheld by all of us who have a love for the truth of God!
